Football game



April 1, 1958 M. A. HORTON FOOTBALL GAME Filed March 15, 1954 IN V EN TOR, MEL VIN 7. HO/QTON United StatesPatent O FOOTBALL GAME Melvin A. Horton, Pasadena, Calif.

Application March 15, 1954, Serial No. 416,209

2 Claims. Cl. 273-94 3 This invention relates to games and more particularly to a game simulating the game of football. 2

It is an object of this invention to provide a game closely resembling a game of football which is played with a board and movable players.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a game wherein the parts are simple and rugged and may be arranged to simulate the multitude of formations and plays present in a football game.

Other objects and advantages will be readily apparent from the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of the board with the players arranged in formation.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the players carrying the ball.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the snapper.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the ball.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the quarterback.

Figure 6 is a section taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a side elevation illustrating the functioning of the snapper.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the quarterback inthe I passing or kicking position.

The field 10 may be a rectangular cloth having suitable lines thereon to designate the yard markers on a football field. Suitable goal posts 12 are positioned at each end of the playing field.

The member simulating and hereinafter designated as the ball in this embodiment is a long flexible member 14 preferably made of a suitable plastic, while the members simulating and hereinafter designatedas the players 16 are in the form of a cylinder having a bore 18 therethrough and flanges 20 at each extremity. The quarterback 22 varies from the remaining players in that the flange 24 is of a smaller diameter than flange 26 and that a tapered slot 28 is provided at one extremity of bore 30 with a leaf 32 covering a portion of the bore 30. The snapper has a cylindrical base 34 which is slotted at its upper extremity to receive arm 36 which isv suitably secured thereto and formed of a suitable flexible material.

To commence the game the players are arranged as in a regular football game with the quarterback standing upright as in Fig. 8 with the ball inserted therein. The ball is bent back with the fingertip and when released flips the ball 14 downfield. When the kickofi lands on the playing field it is a loose ball. The receiving team may then pivot the nearest player onto its side as in Fig. 7 and push the the snapper down causing player 16 to roll. If the player rolls over the ball it is recovered and inserted in the player. The defending team then attempts to tackle by pivoting a player and aiming him at the ball carrier. If he hits the ball player the ball is downed at this point, but if the tackler bumps another player first both are set upright and remain out of action for the remainder of the play. If the tackler is thus blocked or crosses the goal or goes out of bounds. Turns continue to alternate until the ball is downed.

If the ball is downed the team in possession can either run, pass or punt and has four downs to made a touchdown or lose possession of the ball. The offense lines up in accordance with football rules with at least seven men on the line of scrimmage, then the defensive team is positioned. For a running play the ball is inserted into a backfield man and the offense takes its turn first. Usually several blocks are made by rolling an offensive line man at a defensive player and if the oifensive line man bumps the defensive both are set up-right and remain out the rest of the play. The defense then takes a turn trying to tackle the ball carrier or maneuver to a better position. The play continues with the offense either running or blocking. Turns alternate until the ball is downed or the team scores.

As previously described the quarterback has a flange 24 smaller than flange 26, hence will not roll along a straight line but in an are. For an end sweep the quarterback may be used as the ball carrier.

For a forward or lateral pass the quarterback is set upright and the ball inserted therein as in Fig. 8. The offense then may block or send an end or back down the field. The defense may rush the passer by attempting to tackle him or send a defender to cover the pass receiver. If the defender bumps the receiver it is pass interference. A plastic ring (not shown) is placed around both receiver and defender and the pass is complete if it falls within the receivers ring, intercepted if it falls Within the de fenders ring, and incomplete if outside both rings. If completed or intercepted the other team may attempt to tackle. If this fails the receiver may run alternating turns till the ball is downed or the goal line crossed.

A punt is accomplished by flipping the ball by means of the quarterback, as seen in Fig. 8.

In other respects the scoring and rules follow those of ordinary football.

While what hereinbefore has been described is the preferred embodiment of this invention, it is readily apparent that alterations and modifications can be resorted to without departing from the scope of this invention and such alterations and modifications are intended to be in cluded within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 1

1. In a game device of the class described the combination of: a playing board simulating a football field, a plurality of cylindrical members simulating players forming offensive and defensive teams adapted to roll upon said playing board, at least one of said offensive members having a bore therein, a member simulating a ball adapted to be loosely inserted into said bore, at least one of said offensive members having means thereon for projecting said ball through the air, and means adapted to impart a rolling motion to said members, at least one of said offensive member having flanges of unequal sizes adjacent References Cited infthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Palese Mar. 23, 1926 4 Potter Aug. 25, 1936 Berninget al. Aprv, 1948 Spiegel Jun. 1. 195.!

FOREIGN PATENTS Denmark Man 2, 1953 

